J Korean Med Sci.
2018 Aug;33(35):e226. 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e226.
Occupational Burden of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Korea, 1998–2013: Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Preventive, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea. mungis@pusan.ac.kr
- 2Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
- 3Environmental Health Center, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
- 4Busan Workers Health Center, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
- 5Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, GoodGangAn Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- KMID: 2418955
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e226
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Asbestos exposure causes asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) including asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer. Although Korea used substantial amounts of asbestos in the past, no study has focused on its occupational burden of disease (OBD). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the OBDs of ARDs in Korea.
METHODS
The CARcinogen Exposure (CAREX) database was used to determine the proportion of exposed population. Relative risks for lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer were used to determine the population-attributable fraction. Data for deaths caused by ARDs during 1998-2013 were obtained from the World Health Organization mortality database. The potential years of life lost (PYLL) and annual average PYLL (APYLL) indicated OBDs.
RESULTS
In Korea, the number of ARD-attributable deaths and PYLL due to all ARDs during 1998-2013 were 4,492 and 71,763.7, respectively. The number of attributable deaths and PYLL due to asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer were 37 and 554.2, 808 and 15,877.0, 3,256 and 47,375.9, 120 and 1,605.5, and 271 and 6,331.1, respectively; additionally, the APYLL were 15.0, 19.7, 14.6, 13.4, and 23.4, respectively, and the average age at death was 70.4, 62.6, 69.1, 69.9, and 61.8, respectively. Our study showed that although the use of asbestos has ceased in Korea, the incidence of ARDs tends to increase.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, efforts to reduce future OBDs of ARDs, including early detection and proper management of ARDs, are needed in Korea.
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